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ALL IN® – JIM KEIFER

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Jim Keifer, inventor of the game All In®, is an interesting man, interested in the interesting stories he learns when interacting with others. Sounds like par for the course with a game inventor, though, right? Maybe, but for Jim it’s a passion—one that’s driven his success.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Jim has lived in Chicago, Boston, New York and Los Angeles while pursuing his corporate career as game designer and executive for major toy and game companies. He now resides in California, where he focuses on independent toy and game design…well, when he’s not hiking and skiing in the mountains, cheering for Notre Dame’s football team (Go Irish!) or working on his art and paintings. Never a dull moment in the Keifer house!

Since the age of 5, Jim’s been exploring his interest in games by inventing new ones and altering existing ones. His favorite childhood games were ones that allowed players’ personalities to be revealed as they play together and interact, which is a major fun factor in his new party game All In!

When developing All In, Jim wanted to create a game that let people enjoy the experience of learning about one another. Each person is interesting, with interesting stories, and he felt that a party game would be an excellent way to share them. However, what makes All In truly unique is that it has two distinct dynamics at play—there’s a reveal of someone’s experiences (e.g. “I have gone skinny-dipping”), and a reveal of what people think you have or have not done (e.g. Other players betting on whether you have or have not gone skinny-dipping). It’s exceptional game play that allows for fantastic fun!

While Jim loves his work and takes pride in what he does, his real love, passion and pride resides with his family. His wife Kathleen is an internationally-acclaimed artist, and his three daughters attend college, where they are excelling and surpassing their father’s dreams.

Jim’s advice for other game and toy inventors starting out is to develop a lot of ideas and not to get stuck on just one. All In was born from two games Jim was working on, neither of which was working. But Jim had the bright idea to combine those two ideas into one, and voilà—they clicked! Jim says, “Be open-minded. Enjoy not knowing the answer because the answer will (most likely) eventually find you.”

 

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MOLUK® – Alex Hochstrasser

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Alex Hochstrasser, founder of the Swiss toy company MOLUK and designer and inventor of the TOTY award-winning Bilibo, draws his inspiration for the toys he creates from many different places. He loves traveling and exploring the world around him, observing how people and children interact with toys and everyday objects. Memories from his own childhood also play a role in what he works on, as he says, “I basically design the toys I would have loved myself when I was a kid!”

Growing up, Alex loved playing with construction toys such as Lego (never using the instructions!), but his strongest memories are of playing with other kids outdoors in the forest or at the river. There, they would use their imaginations, fascinated with the inherent play value of mundane objects like sticks, rocks or cardboard boxes-those simple objects proving most useful in their games. Today, those experiences are an important factor in the development of MOLUK’s sustainable toys that don’t just entertain, but invite real interaction.

Alex graduated from the University of Art and Design in Zurich, where he studied Industrial Design and spent time working abroad with different design firms and manufacturers in New York, San Francisco, Barcelona and Tokyo. His decision to focus on designing toys came later, when as a godfather he became frustrated by the lack of innovative toys when shopping for his godchildren. The toys he saw in stores, to him, were too gender-specific, too dated, or had a very short lifespan. He felt it was important to gift children with toys that work regardless of age and gender, and that tapped into the natural curiosity of children and their urge to play and explore.

After much research and hard work, Bilibo became Alex’s first toy, and it’s still widely regarded as one of the most innovative and versatile open-ended toys on the market. Its large iconic shell shape arouses curiosity and engages children’s imaginations in a playful way. When children see Bilibo, they see possibilities-it’s a seat to rock and spin in, a giant turtle shell, a water play vessel, a toy box, a stepping stool, a hill or tunnel for toy trains, and so much more. Alex muses, “I’m constantly surprised to see the new things kids come up with when they play!”

Interestingly, with many MOLUK toys, the majority of adults just don’t “get them.” An ambiguous toy confuses them, because they’ve lost the ability to imagine how children look at the world. Adults are used to a world where everything must have a clear function and purpose; strict rules are the norm. Fortunately, children are much more at ease with blending reality and imagination into their storylines when they play. Open-ended play stimulates children’s senses and minds and helps them develop many basic skills. Toys like Bilibo are essential in our technological world.

Alex, along with his sister, continues to successfully develop, design and manufacture MOLUK toys and has expanded into other fun-named toys like Oogi, Plu?, Mox and more. Alex touches nearly every aspect of the process-from concept to design to marketing. He says, “For me, the creation of a toy, its name, packaging and presentation through photo and video are equally challenging and exciting.” And he is thankful for the opportunity to run his own company and have the freedom to pursue his vision for toys and focus on projects that he finds meaningful and fun!

It’s also fun to note that Alex loves playing with his own designs, pushing the open-ended play to a whole new level when he finds creative uses for his toys, such as using Bilibos as punch bowls at his parties! Cheers!

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5 Second Rule® – Michael Sistrunk

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There’s a notepad on Michael Sistrunk’s bedside table, where 5 Second Rule™ started to become a reality.

Sistrunk embraces his creativity and writes down every idea, every game he dreams of, in that notepad. He’s had a lot of practice inventing games, he’s been doing it for over 15 years. Sistrunk grew up in a small rural town in Mississippi and didn’t have cable television or video games to occupy his time. He, his twin brother and two sisters made up their own games and loved playing together. Sistrunk remembers some of his favorite board games being Monopoly, Chess and Risk, when he wasn’t making up his own.

From his notepad of hundreds of ideas, 5 Second Rule became one of Sistrunk’s favorites, so he created a prototype and played with friends. Everyone had a blast playing the fast-paced game where each player has five seconds to name three answers to random questions. “Seems easy enough, but under pressure, it’s a different story,” Sistrunk says. You may think you can “Name 3 Amusement Park Rides,” and you probably could. But being asked quickly and then only having five seconds to name them will be a challenge. How about 3 pirates? 3 Great Lakes? The beauty of this game is that most people know the answers—there’s no studying required, no doctorate-level education needed. The timing is what will get you tongue-tied, and everyone’s on level playing ground…to start.

Sistrunk is thrilled to see his idea come to life. As is the case with a lot of inventors, Sistrunk was unsure of how to bring his game to market. He “struggled with being afraid of ‘losing’ [his] idea and trusting someone else to help [him] with the process.” After much research, he knew it would be difficult to produce the game on his own. Then he found PlayMonster online and decided to send his idea in and trust them to help. PlayMonster loved the game idea and decided to make it a reality.

Sistrunk graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and worked in banking for 13 years. When he’s not busy inventing new games and coming up with new ideas, he now spends his time working as the owner/artist of MerNation, Inc., a mermaid company based in St. Petersburg, FL, where he is also a SCUBA instructor.

When asked if he had any advice for other inventors looking to make their ideas a reality, Sistrunk said, “Do your homework. Find someone you trust and take a chance. All those ideas you have scribbled in notebooks will just stay there and fade away or be created by someone else unless you take a chance.” Sistrunk also promises that his mind is always thinking of new ways to do things and fun ideas, he’s not stopping after one gaming success.

To set up an interview with Michael Sistrunk, please contact us.

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PLAYMONSTER KICKS OFF AN ALL NEW YETI GAME

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PLAYMONSTER KICKS OFF AN ALL NEW YETI GAME

Yeti, Set, Go! Follows the Popular and Award-Winning Yeti in My Spaghetti Game as the Newest Way to Have a Mountain of Fun with Yetis!

BELOIT, Wis. (June 22, 2018) – Nothing makes a kids’ game more fun that tons of action and a bunch of cool characters, which is exactly what Yeti, Set, Go! is all about!

Yeti, Set, Go! is a follow-up to PlayMonster’s award-winning Yeti in My Spaghetti®! It takes the yeti theme to a whole new level, as this game features four different Yetis with four unique personalities! It’s fun for kids to decide which Yeti they’ll “be” for the game. Players and their Yeti are a team…a mean, lean kickin’ team!

There’s big, all-play action in Yeti, Set, Go! as Yetis are kicking meatballs onto a snowy mountain! Players make their Yeti kick the balls by boppin’ them on the head over and over and over! Skill comes in to play, too, because players can aim their Yetis by swiveling them back and forth. So, meatballs are flying all over, as players try to get them to land on all of the ledges in their side of the mountain! It’s a fun, fast-paced, action-packed game for ages 4+. No batteries required. Look for it on shelves this summer for an SRP of $24.99.

 

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Mirari®, Farkle, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

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Lisa Wuennemann                                    Janis Van Tine  / Sarah Gumina
PlayMonster LLC                                      GennComm for PlayMonster LLC
(800) 524-4263, ext. 1275                         (818) 839-1461
lisaw@playmonster.com                             janis@GennComm.com / sarah@genncomm.com
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PLAYMONSTER ACCELERATES INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION WITH ACQUISITION OF INTERPLAY

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PlayMonster Accelerates International Expansion

with Acquisition of Interplay

 

May 29, 2018 – BELOIT, Wis. – PlayMonster LLC has announced from the London International Toy Show for Distributors, DisToy, that the Company has acquired privately held, UK-based toy company, Interplay UK Ltd.

The companies have enjoyed a successful, strong partnership since 2016, when PlayMonster acquired a North American license for Interplay’s top-selling My Fairy Garden brand, which has enjoyed success in over 10 countries to date. Now PlayMonster, based in Wisconsin, has acquired Interplay’s operations and full brand portfolio. This opportunity builds on the natural fit between the two companies and creates real synergy through complementary brands and scale of resources. Both have been among the fastest growing companies in their respective territories over recent years, this new relationship will mean increased growth potential for both PlayMonster and Interplay in existing markets through new and incremental product categories. With the combined depth and breadth of resources from the two companies, the new business is expected to become a stronger performer in the worldwide marketplace. 

Bob Wann, Chief PlayMonster of PlayMonster LLC and Chairman of the US Toy Association, said, “This is PlayMonster’s first international acquisition and its largest acquisition to-date. This important step will strengthen the excellent team we have, as well as expedite the growth of PlayMonster and Interplay brands around the world. With Interplay becoming the first subsidiary, with an office and employees who will continue the business as usual from their headquarters in Marlow, it gives both companies and outstanding opportunity to grow their business globally.”

Ross Ainsworth, Founder at Interplay said, “Our team at Interplay shares with PlayMonster a common philosophy of the importance of play, as well as a passion for creating high-quality, enduring products at affordable prices. We have incredible respect for what the PlayMonster team has been building, and we are looking forward to expanding our brands into North America and beyond.”

Bob Wann attributes the success of Interplay to its founder, Ross Ainsworth, who has nurtured the company since its conception. “Ross’s passion, creative excellence and team of employees are what got Interplay to where it is today, and it will be an honor to take his vision the next level,” said Wann.

 

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun and quality products, such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Relative InsanityTM, Farkle, Super Spinner®, Mirari®, Kid O®, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Marbleocity® and Automoblox® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

 

About Interplay UK Ltd.

Interplay has been established for 20 years in the UK and is a multi-award-winning company positioned at the quality end of the toy market, specializing in developing and marketing innovative toys and gifts. A product-lead company with a passion for creating high-quality kits at affordable prices and striving for nothing less than the best for customers, Interplay designs popular in-house brands such as My Fairy Garden®, FabLab®, Fuzzikins Craft®, My Mermaid Lagoon®, CraftBox® My Living World® and myStyle®.

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Lisa Wuennemann                                    Janis Van Tine  / Sarah Gumina
PlayMonster LLC                                      GennComm for PlayMonster LLC
(800) 524-4263, ext. 1275                         (818) 839-1461
lisaw@playmonster.com                             janis@GennComm.com / sarah@genncomm.com
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PLAYMONSTER’S STINKY PIG GAME REACHES 1 MILLION SOLD WORLDWIDE

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PLAYMONSTER’S STINKY PIG GAME REACHES 1 MILLION SOLD WORLDWIDE

Recognized for Its Adorably Amusing Pig Character, Charming Song and Hilarious “Tooting” Sounds, Stinky Pig is a Favorite with Kids and Families!

BELOIT, Wis. (March 12, 2018) – PlayMonster is happy to announce that another one of its games, Stinky Pig®, has reached one million in units sold and continues to be a favorite quick-playing kids’ game!

Poke Stinky Pig’s belly to hear him sing, and then roll the die to see which way to pass him. Do it fast…pass him left, pass him right, roll again…but hurry before he…toots! If you’re holding Stinky Pig when he passes gas, you must take a token. But then keep playing…quickly…and the player with the fewest tokens in the end wins! Stinky Pig is for two or more players, ages 6 and up.

“Not many games get the honor of reaching the pivotal one-million mark,” says Scott Flynn, PlayMonster’s VP of Sales & Marketing and Chief Fun Monster. “Stinky Pig has always made us laugh, and we’re thrilled that retailers and consumers love it as much as we do!”

Sold in over 15 countries worldwide, Stinky Pig definitely engages a wide audience! The funny pig can be found in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Sweden, Australia, Italy, South Africa, and many more countries.

At an MSRP of $12.99, Stinky Pig makes a fun kids’ party game, birthday gift and Easter basket stuffer! It can be found where great games are sold!

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Mirari®, Farkle, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

# # #

 

Contact                      

Lisa Wuennemann                                    Janis Van Tine  / Sarah Gumina
PlayMonster LLC                                      GennComm for PlayMonster LLC
(800) 524-4263, ext. 1275                         (818) 839-1461
lisaw@playmonster.com                             janis@GennComm.com / sarah@genncomm.com
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PLAYMONSTER WONDER CREW BUDDY EARNS HISTORIC TOY OF THE YEAR AWARD

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PLAYMONSTER WONDER CREW BUDDY EARNS HISTORIC TOY OF THE YEAR AWARD

For the First Time, a Doll Created for Boys Wins Doll of the Year

March 7, 2018, BELOIT, Wis. – The toy world just became more inclusive, as Wonder Crew® from PlayMonster clinched a historic Doll of the Year Award. This marks the first time ever that a doll created specifically to address the developmental needs of the whole child – especially boys – has won the prestigious honor. The acknowledgement from The Toy Association’s recent Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY), was the second consecutive TOTY Award for PlayMonster, and topped an exciting week for the Beloit-based company.

Created by mom and psychotherapist, Laurel Wider, Wonder Crew is turning the table on the conversation about gender stereotypes and toys, which has largely been focused on giving girls more play options. After her son came home from preschool one day and announced that “boys aren’t supposed to cry,” Wider set out to create a toy that allows boys to connect emotionally.  What better way to help our young boys embrace their emotions than with a buddy that combines action and adventure with friendship and nurturing. The 15″ Wonder Crew buddies launched on Kickstarter and quickly drew praise from parents and media alike. Wider earned an invitation to the White House to speak, alongside industry giants like Mattel and Lego, during a conference on breaking stereotypes in media and toys. In 2016 PlayMonster aligned with Wonder Crew to bring this important toy to the world.

“It’s been incredibly humbling to stand side-by-side other nominees, but to win is beyond our wildest dreams,” said Wider. “A huge thanks to our fans and to PlayMonster for helping us send a new message to all kids, one that says yes, you can be kind, caring, nurturing, emotional and adventurous, strong, creative and more – a message that that moves beyond gender stereotypes and encourages all aspects of their identity. “

Part of the magic of Wonder Crew is that accessories are included for the child and doll to dress alike and go on adventures together. The crew, available now, includes four diverse buddies, Will, Marco, James and Erik, with each one dressed in superhero gear, complete with matching mask and cape for kids. Additional Adventure Packs are sold separately, and include outfits for the buddies and matching accessories for kids in themes of Builder, Explorer and Snuggler.

 “It has been incredibly exciting to see parents and children respond to Wonder Crew, and such a rewarding year for our company, with PlayMonster earning six TOTY nominations for Automoblox, Ultra Dash, Mirari Juballees, Mirari Shellby, My Fairy Garden and Wonder Crew,” said Bob Wann, Chief PlayMonster. “This groundbreaking Doll of the Year win for Wonder Crew, despite the fact that a doll for boys has never been acknowledged, validates that toy makers need to think outside the toy box to give options for all kids to play, grow and learn. Our entire team is beyond proud of this accomplishment.”

PlayMonster received its first-ever win last year with Yeti in My Spaghetti® for Game of the Year. Previously, the company earned several TOTY finalist distinctions. PlayMonster was founded as Patch Products in 1985, and changed its branding and company name in 2016 to PlayMonster to better reflect the company’s continued commitment to provide high-quality classic play for all ages.

Often referred to as the “Oscars” of the toy industry, more than 600 toys and games were submitted for Toy of the Year Award consideration last fall by companies of all sizes; category finalists, announced in November, were selected by play experts, retailers, academics and journalists who sit on the TOTY judging committee. Category winners were selected based on votes from toy retailers, media, Toy Association members and consumers.

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Mirari®, Farkle, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

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Contact                             

Lisa Wuennemann                       Sarah Gumina 
Lisa Wuennemann                                    Janis Van Tine  / Sarah Gumina
PlayMonster LLC                                      GennComm for PlayMonster LLC
(800) 524-4263, ext. 1275                         (818) 839-1461
lisaw@playmonster.com                             janis@GennComm.com / sarah@genncomm.com
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PLAYMONSTER TEAMS UP WITH JEFF FOXWORTHY FOR INSANELY HUMOROUS NEW PARTY GAME

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PLAYMONSTER TEAMS UP WITH JEFF FOXWORTHY FOR INSANELY HUMOROUS NEW PARTY GAME

Relative Insanity Features Comedian Jeff Foxworthy’s Relatable Humor About Crazy Family Members and Unpredictable Situations

BELOIT, Wis. (March 1, 2018) – PlayMonster is thrilled to partner with Jeff Foxworthy and produce his comical new game Relative InsanityTM.

The laugh-out-loud party game uses bits of Foxworthy material that mix and match to create wacky situations that families and friends will love! Everyone has a crazy friend or family member (or two or three…) and can totally relate to this game’s hilarious situations and humor!

“There are a few certainties in life. One of them is everybody’s relatives are crazy,” Foxworthy said. “You can let them make you nuts too, or you can learn to just laugh about it. I prefer laughter every time!”

In Relative Insanity, one player will read a set-up card, such as “While walking past my sister’s bedroom, I heard her say…” and the other players will decide which of their punch-line cards they want to play. So maybe you’d end up with these statements:

1.    Sometimes I think orphans are so lucky

2.    Hell yeah they’re real!

3.    It’s not my fault! It just popped out!

4.    I think there was weed in the brownies!

5.    Give him a break, he just got out of jail

6.    Take a picture of that and send it to me

 

The reader then gets to choose their favorite punch line, and the owner of that card gets a point!

Inspired by the insanity of his own family and friends, Foxworthy created the game with laughter in mind. When he played it during a Thanksgiving gathering, Foxworthy said, “The results were beyond anything I could have hoped for.  We laughed until we cried and a few people might have even peed… just a little bit. Enjoy!”

Sometimes the punch lines you’re holding don’t really seem to match up, but that could make them even better…or insane! Relative Insanity includes 100 set-up situation cards and 400 punch-line response cards, so game play is never the same! For 4 to 12 players, ages 14+. PlayMonster will be bringing the game to retail for a suggested price of $19.99.

Jeff Foxworthy is one of the most respected and successful comedians in the country. He is the largest selling comedy-recording artist in history, a multiple Grammy Award nominee and best-selling author of 11 books. Widely known for his Blue Collar Comedy Tour and redneck jokes, his act goes well beyond that to explore the humor in everyday family interactions and human nature.

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Mirari®, Farkle, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

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Contact                      

Lisa Wuennemann                                    Janis Van Tine  / Sarah Gumina
PlayMonster LLC                                      GennComm for PlayMonster LLC
(800) 524-4263, ext. 1275                         (818) 839-1461
lisaw@playmonster.com                             janis@GennComm.com / sarah@genncomm.com
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PLAYMONSTER SETS SAIL WITH NEW KIDS’ GAME FEATURING FUN THEME AND CHARACTERS

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PLAYMONSTER SETS SAIL WITH NEW KIDS’ GAME FEATURING FUN THEME AND CHARACTERS

Don’t Rock the Boat has a Wave-Riding Pirate Ship, Pirate Penguins and Some Wacky Mateys, All Coming Together to Make One Exciting Game!

 

BELOIT, Wis. (February 17, 2018) – PlayMonster LLC knows what kids like: Action and fun characters! PlayMonster’s new kids’ game is full of awesome and funny characters, and game play is all about skill and action!

In Don’t Rock the Boat, you better Balance Yer Mateys, or Overboard Ye Go! Players take turns setting pirate pieces on the teetering pirate ship, trying not to upset the balance. The player who makes the boat tip and pieces fall off is a landlubber!

The fun is in the characters and 16 playing pieces (pirate penguins, octopus, treasure and more!), and the excitement is in the suspense! It’s a quick game that kids love playing over and over! No batteries required. It’s a great game for ages 5+, and will hit shelves in spring 2018 for an SRP of $24.99.

 

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Mirari®, Farkle, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

# # #

 

Contact                      

Lisa Wuennemann                                    Janis Van Tine  / Sarah Gumina
PlayMonster LLC                                      GennComm for PlayMonster LLC
(800) 524-4263, ext. 1275                         (818) 839-1461
lisaw@playmonster.com                             janis@GennComm.com / sarah@genncomm.com
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PLAYMONSTER ACQUIRES HIT GAME BRAND UTTER NONSENSE!

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PLAYMONSTER ACQUIRES HIT GAME BRAND
UTTER NONSENSE!

Leading game and toy company seizes hot laugh-out-loud party game

 

February 17, 2018 – BELOIT, Wis. –PlayMonster LLC is adding to its award-winning game portfolio with the acquisition of Utter Nonsense!®, The Hilarious Accent Game. Originally launched on Kickstarter before hitting  Target shelves, the laugh-out-loud game that combines silly accents or voices with even sillier phrases is one of the most talked about party games today, and is now available in two editions, Utter Nonsense: Family Edition and Utter Nonsense: Naughty Edition for players 17 and up.

“We have been watching in awe at the popularity of Utter Nonsense,” said Bob Wann, Chief PlayMonster of PlayMonster LLC. “It’s one of those games that has taken pop culture fandom by storm, and we’re thrilled to add it to our fast growing core games business,”

PlayMonster will showcase Utter Nonsense!, The Hilarious Accent Game at booth #435 during the North American International Toy Fair in New York, February 17‒20, 2018.

“It’s hard to believe what started out as an idea in a bar just four years ago has gone on to be enjoyed by so many,” said co-creator Tim Swindle. “We’re excited to hand the baton to the industry veterans at PlayMonster, and are confident they will further extend the popularity and retail presence of Utter Nonsense.”

In Utter Nonsense!, players take turns assuming “Nonsense Judge” duties in each round, dealing seven Phrase Cards to each player and revealing an Accent Card from the top of the deck. Each player chooses a Phrase Card in their hand that works best with the featured Accent Card for the zaniest combination and reads it aloud. The Nonsense Judge determines whose “performance” was the funniest to take the win. Once a player wins five rounds, he or she wins the game.

The Accent Cards aren’t what you might expect, and include Pirate, Whisper, Side Mouth Talker, News Anchor, Robot and more! Imagine hearing, “Either Fido isn’t housebroken or we need to have a talk with grandpa,” in an over-the-top stuffy nose voice!

Each edition includes 50 Accent Cards and 450 Phrase Cards, with a suggested retail price of $24.99.

 


About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Mirari®, Farkle, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Wonder Crew®, Automoblox® and Marbleocity® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

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Lisa Wuennemann                                    Janis Van Tine  / Sarah Gumina
PlayMonster LLC                                      GennComm for PlayMonster LLC
(800) 524-4263, ext. 1275                         (818) 839-1461
lisaw@playmonster.com                             janis@GennComm.com / sarah@genncomm.com